Teen specialist keeps his charges busy at library

If you walk in to the Cloquet Library on a weekday between 4-5 p.m., you’ll notice the library is full of teens. Last fall, Cloquet Public Library hired Justin Dinger to be its youth services librarian, working especially with people age 10-18. He immediately made an impact by instituting regular programming such as Teen Reads on Mondays, where he reads aloud while listeners enjoy a snack, and Teen Tech Wednesdays. He has made some interesting discoveries, such as the teens really enjoy poetry and that they requested to hear famous speeches in June.

Justin’s enthusiasm for technology and books is contagious. He was an English major at Gustavus Adolphus College in southern Minnesota and previously worked for the Cloquet School District in its technology department. Here at the library he combines both interests, as well as a deep concern for the well-being of youth. Below is an interview with Justin about his work.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working with youth?

Justin Dinger: For me, the best thing about working with kids is watching the lightbulb go on when they figure something out. Giving a kid a tool and direction really pays off when they are able to make a discovery. This can happen anytime, whether they figure out the hidden meaning of a poem during Monday Snack and Story or finally make it through a coding challenge they’ve struggled with. Seeing them happy about a problem they solved is so much fun.

Q: What have been some of your favorite experiences working with youth?

A I really enjoyed the FanCon we held in January. The kids made their own Harry Potter wand, we had snacks, prizes and an awesome keynote speaker, Lydia Noble (who) taught the kids — and a few adults — all about the frames of a comic. We had a blast. I have also really enjoyed our Teen Tech Wednesdays. Each week we tackle a different engineering, coding or tech problem. Well, sometimes we just have fun and play video games.

Q: What are you looking forward to this summer at the library?

A We have so many cool things planned this summer. The week of July 15 we have Space Camp. NASA has given us a grant … Our main task will be to use NASA engineering skills to build a spaceship that will protect our two astronauts (or eggstronauts) as they land on a rocky foreign planet. We also have a ton of space-themed games and snacks. We also have cooking classes for teens, sewing classes and a computer building class scheduled throughout the summer. Oh, one more big event: On July 26 we’ve partnered with Community Ed to host a “Skate Park Grand Opening,” which will feature a performance from hip-hop artist DJ Kool Akiem.

Q: What are you looking forward to most in the new library expansion?

A When construction is complete our teens will have a dedicated space. We will have movie screens, game tables, maker space, lounge chairs and some higher-end gaming PCs built by the kids in our building camp.

Q: What do your teen sons think of you being a teen librarian?

A My younger son, Luke loves my connection with our weekly Dungeons and Dragons group on Tuesday afternoons. He has been able to join the campaign. My older son will ask me obscure questions to see if my reference game is on point. Sometimes I have to say “I don’t know, but I will find an answer for you.”

Q: What are your favorite Young Adult books?

A Since this is the summer in which we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, I’ll say that “I Love You Michael Collins,” by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, is probably my favorite book that I’ve read this year. I also enjoyed Angie Thomas’s recent novel, “On the Come Up.”

If you have any questions about the Space Camp, or any other programs for tweens and teens this summer, contact Justin Dinger at 218-879-1531.